The Federal Government's attempt to deregulate universities appears doomed, with Education Minister Christopher Pyne being accused of trying to "blackmail" crossbenchers in an attempt to secure their support.

Training providers will be banned from offering "miraculously" short diploma courses, and from offering students incentives to sign up, under new legislation to be introduced by the Federal Government.

Victims of sex abuse from private schools in Sydney will come forward with their own stories in the wake of the damning revelations against the prestigious Knox Grammar School, according to a lawyer who represents students who were abused.